Unitywater has brought another asset to life as part of its Community Artwork Program, with the Castaways Beach pump station sporting a bright mural that reflects the local area’s unique flora and fauna.
Unitywater executive manager strategic engagement Joshua Zugajev said the art program helped share the environment, culture and heritage of the region.
“Community artwork is a wonderful way of sharing what makes our region unique, improving the aesthetic of our assets, preventing graffiti, and they’re a great conversation starter,” Mr Zugajev said.
Unitywater engaged local Pomona artist Tia Carrigan to turn brick to chic and brighten up the asset along the popular bike path.
“Our pump station at Castaways Beach is near Burgess Creek and the artwork includes local flora and fauna and information about this important catchment and what makes it special” Mr Zugajev said.
“It also highlights how our Noosa Wastewater Treatment Plant helps protect the health of our local community and the environment – making sure the community’s wastewater is screened, cleaned and treated to a standard that can be safely released to our waterways as part of the urban water cycle.”
Mr Zugajev said Unitywater had recently published its Water Matters Plan which guides how the utility will manage water in a more integrated and sustainable way across Noosa and the Sunshine Coast over the next 30 years.
The plan is a partnership between Unitywater, Noosa Council, Sunshine Coast Council and Seqwater. One of the outcomes of the plan consultation was highlighting the need for community education, particularly about the Burgess Creek catchment.
Artist Tia Carrigan said it was a delight to paint the mural, featuring local flora and fauna.
“The white bellied sea eagle and the large glossy black cockatoo are favourite elements of mine,” Ms Carrigan said.
“Working on this mural was a fantastic opportunity to engage with many community groups and learn about the local flora and fauna of that specific area. An important part of public art for me is the engagement with locals each day as they watch the project develop.”
Ms Carrigan worked with Kabi Kabi Traditional Custodian, Mack Muckan, to learn about and incorporate culturally significant plants and wildlife into the mural.
Mr Muckan said there were several elements that symbolised healing and connection to Country.
“Certain native flowers that produce products like medicine and food reflect the sustainable practices and knowledge of the land,” Mr Muckan said.
“Among the fauna, Gangga, the White-breasted Sea Eagle, is depicted as a messenger and a symbol of timing for hunting activities, such as the seasonal appearance of Gaarbanya or Gabunya, the Sea Mullet. Weeyal, the Black Cockatoo, signifies the arrival of rain, a vital indicator for understanding seasonal changes,” he said.
“Additionally, Yoodlou, the eel from which the suburb Eudlo takes its name, represents an important food source for those traveling or hunting through freshwater areas. Together, these elements weave a rich tapestry of cultural heritage, ecological awareness, and the profound relationship between people and the natural world.”
The artwork is located next to the bike path on David Low Way, Castaways Beach. Check out Unitywater’s other artworks with the Artwork Trail Map at unitywater.com/artworktrail.
